Two teenagers abandoned by their father on a Turkish holiday have told how they later spotted him drinking in a resort bar.

Joel and Reece Hanrahan were left to fend for themselves in the resort of Marmaris for four days, after their father Paul Shepherdson allegedly took off with all their money and travellers cheques.

It is alleged that the three were thrown out of their hotel after Mr Shepherdson became drunk and verbally abused staff and guests.

The manager of the Senfoni Hotel then kindly agreed to take the youngsters in after they explained that their father had disappeared with all their cash.

The pair's aunt Linda Hanrahan, 41, of Berwick Hills, flew out to the resort yesterday to be with Joel, 18, and Reece, 13.

Their mum Jane Hanrahan, 38, told the Gazette that in a phone call home last night the brothers told how they had seen their father drinking in a bar opposite the hotel yesterday but had not approached him.

"They said he was sat in a bar right next door to them.

"I don't care what he does anymore now Linda is looking after them. I don't want to speak to him and neither do the kids."

Miss Hanrahan says she also received a text message from Mr Shepherdson after the Gazette attempted to contact him.

She says it read: "Why have you rung Middlesbrough papers? It is not my fault. Can we talk?"

The mother-of-two from Ampleforth Road, Berwick Hills, has also thanked the manager and staff at the Senfoni Hotel after they looked after the brothers giving them free food and drink until their aunt arrived.

Mum Jane said: "They have been brilliant. I could not thank them enough.

"I haven't slept since it happened and I've gone through all the emotions, but they have been great and I feel better now they are with Linda."

She said her sister-in-law was determined to give the brothers some sort of holiday and they would be staying until next Tuesday and flying back on Wednesday.

"Linda wants to give them a couple of days holiday which they haven't had," she said.

Miss Hanrahan says she split from Middlesbrough man Mr Shepherdson about five years ago, adding that he now lives in London and claims to be a Born Again Christian.